UPDATE 3-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

** Russia's metals billionaires have shelved plans to
create a national mining giant around Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.MM: Cotización)
after the Kremlin opposed plans to absorb their billion-dollar
debts in exchange for a stake in such a firm. [ID:nLR617748]

** Nippon Oil Corp5001.T, Japan's biggest refiner, and
smaller peer Nippon Mining Holdings Inc 5016.T said they
would delay their planned merger by six months to April 2010 to
give them time to clear U.S. regulatory hurdles. [ID:nT130760]

** Coal miner Caledon Resources Plc CDN.L said it has
received an indicative approach "significantly in excess" of
its current market price. [ID:nLR299353]

** UK-based NeutraHealth Plc NEHE.L said it received an
unsolicited offer from India's Elder Pharmaceuticals (ELDP.BO: Cotización),
at an indicative partial offer price of 5.5 pence per share.
[ID:nBNG458149]

** U.S. private equity group KPS Capital Partners will buy
the British and Irish businesses of Waterford Wedgwood, the
luxury tableware maker's receiver said on Friday.
[ID:nDUB000849]

** Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (ISP.MI: Cotización) could sell its
stakes in two units to Generali (GASI.MI: Cotización) in exchange for
buying the insurer's 50 percent stake in their Intesa Vita
joint venture, said a financial source. [ID:nLR517397]